Singapore's
draws up plans to stem raising use of Singlish
Agence France Presse. October 29, 1999
Related: Singlished
out ASIAWEEK
SINGAPORE has
drawn up an action plan to halt an erosion of English standards as more
youths use "Singlish", the island state's unique version of the
language, a report said Friday.
Under the plan by the Education Ministry, the English language syllabus for schools will be revised with teachers to be specially trained to teach English grammar, the Straits Times newspaper reported.
Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and other leaders have repeatedly discouraged Singaporeans from speaking Singlish, saying the former British colony risks losing its competitive edge because English is widely used in political, business and academic circles.
Goh had described Singlish, with its bewildering mix of English, Malay and Indian and Chinese dialects, as "English corrupted by Singaporeans."
According to the Education Ministry report, although Singapore students were able to use standard English, the situation could deteriorate if measures were not taken now to arrest the trend of the use of Singlish.
The report said that a new English language syllabus would be implemented from 2001 with 8000 teachers specially trained to keep abreast with the change.
A grammar reference book would also be introduced featuring common errors in English in Singapore.